A Look at Microsoft's Surface Computer V.2

Description

Microsoft Surface General Manager Panos Panay showed us a preview of the next version of Surface at CES, called the Samsung SUR40 for Microsoft Surface. This matured device runs on Embedded Windows 7 Professional 64-bit and has a new technology in the screen that allows for 2 million sensors (rather than optical cameras) alongside the pixels in the display. This means more touchpoints than you have fingers or friends, no more box under the display so now you can actually sit at it like a table. The display has full HD resolution and is 40 inches, just the right size if you need to reach across to the other side.

This version of Surface can be mounted to a wall. An AMD Athlon X2 245e 2.9Ghz Dual Core drives the machine with a Radeon HD 6750 1GB for the GPU. All of this is built right in to the device.

The Discussion

PixelSense technology is amazing. Hopefully we see that technology continue to evolve along with lower production costs so that it becomes a viable replacement for the capacitive screens we see in all these Slates. I'd be curious if it can take input from a stylus and detect pressure applied..sort like what Wacom is doing.

Next verison, can it keep my can cool using thermoelectric cooling next to the vision pixel? Can it detect my blood pulse or rate, skin moisture to determine my stress level or caffeine level. "Sorry Dave, you've had too much Red Bull to use this program." What about different forms of visions, infrared, ultraviolet, etc. to pick up even more intuition of the user. So when it detects RSI signs, it starts to slowly moved the apps around the screen just like they do with the keyboards. What about a light tens machine zap when you move over important parts of the app? Having a finger, wrist and/or hand workout while you work could be funky. It could be handy when pople lean or sit on it. "zolt! Hey this isn't a chair!" I just want the computer to be user presense (lie detector like) aware and respond in like.